dvb123
11-21 11:06 AM
[Federal Register: November 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 224)]
[Notices]
[Page 65588]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no07-75]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2426-07; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2007-0043]
RIN 1615-ZA61
Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This Notice announces U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services' Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program. Under this
program, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is offering
beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant visa petitions an
opportunity to receive a discretionary grant of parole to come to the
United States rather than remain in Cuba to apply for lawful permanent
resident status. The purpose of the program is to expedite family
reunification through safe, legal, and orderly channels of migration to
the United States and to discourage irregular and inherently dangerous
maritime migration.
DATES: This Notice is effective November 21, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manpreet S. Dhanjal, Refugee Officer,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland
Security, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC
20529, Telephone (202) 272-1613.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In furtherance of the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords, the United
States endeavors to provide a minimum of 20,000 travel documents
annually to aspiring Cuban emigrants. See Joint Communiqu[eacute] on
Migration, U.S.-Cuba (Sept. 9, 1994) (known together with the May 2,
1995 Joint Statement as the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords (hereinafter
``Migration Accords'')). In so doing, the United States offers a safe,
legal, and orderly means of coming to the United States. To date, the
majority of travel documents issued under the Migration Accords fall
into one of three programs: family-based immigrant visas; refugee
resettlement; and parole under the Special Cuban Migration Program,
also referred to as the Cuban Lottery. For information on the Cuban
Lottery, see http://havana.usinterestsection.gov/diversity_program.html
.
Two aspects of the existing array of migration programs limit the
ability of the United States to effectively promote safe, legal, and
orderly migration as an alternative to maritime crossings. First, with
the exception of ``immediate relatives'' (e.g., spouse, unmarried
child) of U.S. citizens (USCs), the number of family-based immigrant
visas that are available in any given year is limited by statute. See
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sections 201(c), 202(a) & 203, 8
U.S.C. 1151(c), 1152(a) & 1153. The statutory caps have resulted in
long waiting periods before family members remaining in Cuba may rejoin
the USCs and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) residing in the United
States who petitioned for them. Second, the United States has not been
permitted to hold a new registration period since 1998 due to
constraints placed on the Cuban Lottery program by the Cuban
Government. This greatly reduces the pool of individuals to whom the
United States may issue travel documents.
For these reasons, this Notice adds the Cuban Family Reunification
Parole (CFRP) Program to the list of migrant programs based on which
the United States issues travel documents under the Migration Accords.
II. The CFRP Program
Under the CFRP Program, USCIS may exercise its discretionary parole
authority to permit eligible Cuban nationals to come to the United
States to rejoin their family members. See INA section 212(d)(5)(A), 8
U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)(A) (permits parole of an alien into the United States
for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit); see
also 8 CFR 212.5(c) & (d) (discretionary authority for granting
parole). Granting parole to eligible aliens under the CFRP Program
serves the significant public benefit of enabling the United States to
meet its commitments under the Migration Accords as well as reducing
the perceived need for family members left behind in Cuba to make
irregular and inherently dangerous attempts to arrive in the United
States through unsafe maritime crossings, thereby discouraging alien
smuggling as a means to enter the United States. Whether to parole a
particular alien remains, however, a case-by-case, discretionary
determination.
III. Participation in the CFRP Program
USCIS will offer participation in the CFRP Program to Cuban
nationals who reside in Cuba and who are the beneficiaries (including
any accompanying or following to join spouse and children (see INA
section 203(d), 8 U.S.C. 1153(d)) of a properly filed Form I-130,
``Petition for Alien Relative,'' that has been approved, but for which
an immigrant visa is not yet immediately available.
Under the CFRP Program, USCIS or the Department of State's National
Visa Center (NVC) will mail written notice to U.S.-based USC and LPR
petitioners whose Forms I-130 have been approved regarding their
beneficiary's eligibility to participate in the CFRP Program and the
procedures for requesting parole. However, participation in the CFRP is
voluntary. If USCIS exercises its discretion to grant parole, it will
issue the necessary U.S. travel documents to the beneficiary in Cuba.
These travel documents will enable the beneficiary to travel safely to
the United States to rejoin his or her family members.
Participation in the CFRP Program is not available to aliens who
qualify as ``immediate relatives'' under section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
INA, 8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i). The extraordinary benefit of parole is
not needed for these aliens, since they may seek visas for travel to
the United States immediately upon the approval of Form I-130.
Additional information about the CFRP Program will be posted at
http://www.uscis.gov.
Dated: November 15, 2007.
Emilio T. Gonzalez,
Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
[FR Doc. E7-22679 Filed 11-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-P
[Notices]
[Page 65588]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21no07-75]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2426-07; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2007-0043]
RIN 1615-ZA61
Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program
AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This Notice announces U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services' Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program. Under this
program, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is offering
beneficiaries of approved family-based immigrant visa petitions an
opportunity to receive a discretionary grant of parole to come to the
United States rather than remain in Cuba to apply for lawful permanent
resident status. The purpose of the program is to expedite family
reunification through safe, legal, and orderly channels of migration to
the United States and to discourage irregular and inherently dangerous
maritime migration.
DATES: This Notice is effective November 21, 2007.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Manpreet S. Dhanjal, Refugee Officer,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland
Security, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC
20529, Telephone (202) 272-1613.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In furtherance of the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords, the United
States endeavors to provide a minimum of 20,000 travel documents
annually to aspiring Cuban emigrants. See Joint Communiqu[eacute] on
Migration, U.S.-Cuba (Sept. 9, 1994) (known together with the May 2,
1995 Joint Statement as the U.S.-Cuba Migration Accords (hereinafter
``Migration Accords'')). In so doing, the United States offers a safe,
legal, and orderly means of coming to the United States. To date, the
majority of travel documents issued under the Migration Accords fall
into one of three programs: family-based immigrant visas; refugee
resettlement; and parole under the Special Cuban Migration Program,
also referred to as the Cuban Lottery. For information on the Cuban
Lottery, see http://havana.usinterestsection.gov/diversity_program.html
.
Two aspects of the existing array of migration programs limit the
ability of the United States to effectively promote safe, legal, and
orderly migration as an alternative to maritime crossings. First, with
the exception of ``immediate relatives'' (e.g., spouse, unmarried
child) of U.S. citizens (USCs), the number of family-based immigrant
visas that are available in any given year is limited by statute. See
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sections 201(c), 202(a) & 203, 8
U.S.C. 1151(c), 1152(a) & 1153. The statutory caps have resulted in
long waiting periods before family members remaining in Cuba may rejoin
the USCs and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) residing in the United
States who petitioned for them. Second, the United States has not been
permitted to hold a new registration period since 1998 due to
constraints placed on the Cuban Lottery program by the Cuban
Government. This greatly reduces the pool of individuals to whom the
United States may issue travel documents.
For these reasons, this Notice adds the Cuban Family Reunification
Parole (CFRP) Program to the list of migrant programs based on which
the United States issues travel documents under the Migration Accords.
II. The CFRP Program
Under the CFRP Program, USCIS may exercise its discretionary parole
authority to permit eligible Cuban nationals to come to the United
States to rejoin their family members. See INA section 212(d)(5)(A), 8
U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)(A) (permits parole of an alien into the United States
for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit); see
also 8 CFR 212.5(c) & (d) (discretionary authority for granting
parole). Granting parole to eligible aliens under the CFRP Program
serves the significant public benefit of enabling the United States to
meet its commitments under the Migration Accords as well as reducing
the perceived need for family members left behind in Cuba to make
irregular and inherently dangerous attempts to arrive in the United
States through unsafe maritime crossings, thereby discouraging alien
smuggling as a means to enter the United States. Whether to parole a
particular alien remains, however, a case-by-case, discretionary
determination.
III. Participation in the CFRP Program
USCIS will offer participation in the CFRP Program to Cuban
nationals who reside in Cuba and who are the beneficiaries (including
any accompanying or following to join spouse and children (see INA
section 203(d), 8 U.S.C. 1153(d)) of a properly filed Form I-130,
``Petition for Alien Relative,'' that has been approved, but for which
an immigrant visa is not yet immediately available.
Under the CFRP Program, USCIS or the Department of State's National
Visa Center (NVC) will mail written notice to U.S.-based USC and LPR
petitioners whose Forms I-130 have been approved regarding their
beneficiary's eligibility to participate in the CFRP Program and the
procedures for requesting parole. However, participation in the CFRP is
voluntary. If USCIS exercises its discretion to grant parole, it will
issue the necessary U.S. travel documents to the beneficiary in Cuba.
These travel documents will enable the beneficiary to travel safely to
the United States to rejoin his or her family members.
Participation in the CFRP Program is not available to aliens who
qualify as ``immediate relatives'' under section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the
INA, 8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i). The extraordinary benefit of parole is
not needed for these aliens, since they may seek visas for travel to
the United States immediately upon the approval of Form I-130.
Additional information about the CFRP Program will be posted at
http://www.uscis.gov.
Dated: November 15, 2007.
Emilio T. Gonzalez,
Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
[FR Doc. E7-22679 Filed 11-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-10-P
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jotv
10-16 11:31 PM
thanks and i am expecting more details
valatharv
07-26 08:37 AM
Finally we got our 485 approved on July 15, 2010...
Priority date : March 2005
Cat: EB2, NSC
Priority date : March 2005
Cat: EB2, NSC
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authrd
08-23 10:59 AM
bumping/hoping for replies
more...
eb2_immigrant
09-16 02:35 PM
I would say go ahead with your plans, There is no risk at all. I got back from India 2 weeks ago,showed my AP (I was asked to join a seperate line for AP holders). Officer asked for my SSN# thats it.
Do not wait for USCIS to make decisions.
Do not wait for USCIS to make decisions.
zCool
06-08 02:20 AM
While it was indeed a horrible bill and it deserves to die,
it's too early to say it's gone forever.
Moreover, it is nativist and scare-mongering that won the victory today so lets not get carried away..
Moral of the story is.. Anti-immigrant lobbies are very strong and they are organized.
Republican base has found enemy to blame for mis-steps and win 2008 elections.. it is immigration. Buoyed by the success in slowing down 1 piece of legislation that probably had most broad-based support in recent years.. they will try to further the gains by proposing more divisive and mean-spirited bills designed to provoke response and inflame passion (i.e. make life unbearable and very difficult for all immigrants)
On the other hand we will probably have better chance of pushing small reliefs in employement based immigration.
I think if there ever was a time to start new funding drive.. it is NOW!
it's too early to say it's gone forever.
Moreover, it is nativist and scare-mongering that won the victory today so lets not get carried away..
Moral of the story is.. Anti-immigrant lobbies are very strong and they are organized.
Republican base has found enemy to blame for mis-steps and win 2008 elections.. it is immigration. Buoyed by the success in slowing down 1 piece of legislation that probably had most broad-based support in recent years.. they will try to further the gains by proposing more divisive and mean-spirited bills designed to provoke response and inflame passion (i.e. make life unbearable and very difficult for all immigrants)
On the other hand we will probably have better chance of pushing small reliefs in employement based immigration.
I think if there ever was a time to start new funding drive.. it is NOW!
more...
gccovet
06-09 09:22 AM
Hi all,
I have come to texas on a B1 to the client location. I stayed with my colleague who has a apartment here. When we left to office ( my first day ) .I made a mistake leaving my passport and others in apartment. .
I have applied and got a new passport .
I have applied for I-94 by filing I-102 . The processing dates are very slow for this . I only have a reciept of this and nothing.
I am leaving 3july next month...what need to be done....i dont even have a VISA.
And what needs to be done for B1 VISA.
I emailed the chennai US embassy but couldnt get any reply............
PLEAASE...HELP:(:confused:
Keep you head cool, don't panic (i know, it is easy to say...)
First things first,
Launch a police complaint (this is very essential). (Get 8-10 photocopies made for these).
Take the complaint number and papers from police to Indian consulate and get a passport (1 year validity passport will be issued in 2-3 working days in this situation). I hope you have photocopies of your old passport including VISA page (hope you have I-94 photocopy as well). Approach local USCIS office and give them your stolen passport photocopies, complaint papers etc. They might be able to help.
My friend went thru even worse situation then you are in, his laptop bag with his passport, money, cell phone etc.. Got stolen from Frankfurt airport while was flying from Delhi to JFK, he got stuck in Germany for 4-5 days. He was in very bad shape, fortunately, he had few dollars and credit cards (corporate and personal with him)..... He was able to enter into USA on 5th day. I quoted my friends incident here just to boost your morale. Keep tight, hang in there.
HTH
GCCovet
I have come to texas on a B1 to the client location. I stayed with my colleague who has a apartment here. When we left to office ( my first day ) .I made a mistake leaving my passport and others in apartment. .
I have applied and got a new passport .
I have applied for I-94 by filing I-102 . The processing dates are very slow for this . I only have a reciept of this and nothing.
I am leaving 3july next month...what need to be done....i dont even have a VISA.
And what needs to be done for B1 VISA.
I emailed the chennai US embassy but couldnt get any reply............
PLEAASE...HELP:(:confused:
Keep you head cool, don't panic (i know, it is easy to say...)
First things first,
Launch a police complaint (this is very essential). (Get 8-10 photocopies made for these).
Take the complaint number and papers from police to Indian consulate and get a passport (1 year validity passport will be issued in 2-3 working days in this situation). I hope you have photocopies of your old passport including VISA page (hope you have I-94 photocopy as well). Approach local USCIS office and give them your stolen passport photocopies, complaint papers etc. They might be able to help.
My friend went thru even worse situation then you are in, his laptop bag with his passport, money, cell phone etc.. Got stolen from Frankfurt airport while was flying from Delhi to JFK, he got stuck in Germany for 4-5 days. He was in very bad shape, fortunately, he had few dollars and credit cards (corporate and personal with him)..... He was able to enter into USA on 5th day. I quoted my friends incident here just to boost your morale. Keep tight, hang in there.
HTH
GCCovet
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new_phd
04-14 05:41 PM
Read clearly, the statement is very clear. It says "If the Green Card applicant .... is the child or spouse of ...."
It means that if you-the applicant - has either of your two parents or your spouse born in a country that is less impacted (or not impacted) by the country of chargeability wait time, then you can use their country of birth to apply to your application instead of your own.
Therefore, your parents and your spouse count as the only people you can use for cross chargeability. Not your kids.
Hope this helps.
Hi,
I am Canadian citizen lived in Canada for 9 years. In 2005, I moved to USA on TN visa. Here is my case details.....
Priority Date : Jun-06
Category : EB2
I140 Approved : 08/15/2006
Chargeability : India
Processing Stage : I-485, EAD, AP
I485 Mailed Date : 07/02/2007
My daughter is born in Canada in year 2000.
My quastion is can I use my daughter's birth country for cross chargeability. I know this is not very common, most of the time spouse's country of birth can be used for cross chargeability. But while I was googling I found the defination on the below website....
http://www.visapro.com/Immigration-Dictionary/C1.asp
Cross Chargeability : When a Green Card applicant is subject to a quota waiting list, but is the child or the spouse of persons born in a country with more favorable quota, the applicant may cross charge to the most favorable quota.
I would really appreciate your help.
Thanks
It means that if you-the applicant - has either of your two parents or your spouse born in a country that is less impacted (or not impacted) by the country of chargeability wait time, then you can use their country of birth to apply to your application instead of your own.
Therefore, your parents and your spouse count as the only people you can use for cross chargeability. Not your kids.
Hope this helps.
Hi,
I am Canadian citizen lived in Canada for 9 years. In 2005, I moved to USA on TN visa. Here is my case details.....
Priority Date : Jun-06
Category : EB2
I140 Approved : 08/15/2006
Chargeability : India
Processing Stage : I-485, EAD, AP
I485 Mailed Date : 07/02/2007
My daughter is born in Canada in year 2000.
My quastion is can I use my daughter's birth country for cross chargeability. I know this is not very common, most of the time spouse's country of birth can be used for cross chargeability. But while I was googling I found the defination on the below website....
http://www.visapro.com/Immigration-Dictionary/C1.asp
Cross Chargeability : When a Green Card applicant is subject to a quota waiting list, but is the child or the spouse of persons born in a country with more favorable quota, the applicant may cross charge to the most favorable quota.
I would really appreciate your help.
Thanks
more...
vedicman
01-27 11:04 AM
Does anyone have a link to this bill/article? I don't see anything on the news yet.
According to Thomas.gov, the text of the bill is unavailable.
However, it has been read twice and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee.
Could this bill be the framework Reid was working on in 2010?
According to Thomas.gov, the text of the bill is unavailable.
However, it has been read twice and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee.
Could this bill be the framework Reid was working on in 2010?
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sugaur
12-23 12:17 AM
I dont recommend going into Juarez. Even Mexicans are fleeing and there are reports of shooting and murder at the border frequently.
more...
srikondoji
07-02 03:07 PM
One question that comes to my mind regarding contributing for the lawsuit is...
Should i contribute to IV or to my lawyers firm. I believe both ways the funds are going to end up with AILF. Or shud i do part contribution to both these orgs?
I need some answers.
The only way out for me is to contribute and nowhere else to go.
CIR is shut and July has turned back on me.
The only window i can see is through IV now. The sooner we all realize the better for us.
Should i contribute to IV or to my lawyers firm. I believe both ways the funds are going to end up with AILF. Or shud i do part contribution to both these orgs?
I need some answers.
The only way out for me is to contribute and nowhere else to go.
CIR is shut and July has turned back on me.
The only window i can see is through IV now. The sooner we all realize the better for us.
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alisa
12-17 12:10 PM
My Labor was rotting in BEC, and so I moved to another role, and will now have a PD of 2007 as a new labor will be filed, Rest of the world, EB-3......
Got any predictions?????
Mine are 1 year (if legislation goes through), to 12 years (if it does not.)
Got any predictions?????
Mine are 1 year (if legislation goes through), to 12 years (if it does not.)
more...
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keepwalking
05-20 06:52 PM
It's a good idea to have dedicated for this topic (as this is becoming common issue for all who couldn't add their spouses earlier...)
I have started the following thread
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/forum5-all-other-green-card-issues/2172703-pd-current-jun-11-adding-dependent-how-long-will-it-take-for-her-to-get-green-card-2.html#post2594710
Either we can follow the current one or the one I started (link above) or we can start a new thread altogether
I am fine with any of the above.
Hello,
I am also in the same situation. I filed 485 in July 2007 and got married later. I will be filing my wife's 485 in June. I was wondering how long will it take for her to get her 485 approved.
Is it a good idea to start a thread to track spouse I-485 filing post July '07 approvals?
Thanks!
I have started the following thread
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/forum5-all-other-green-card-issues/2172703-pd-current-jun-11-adding-dependent-how-long-will-it-take-for-her-to-get-green-card-2.html#post2594710
Either we can follow the current one or the one I started (link above) or we can start a new thread altogether
I am fine with any of the above.
Hello,
I am also in the same situation. I filed 485 in July 2007 and got married later. I will be filing my wife's 485 in June. I was wondering how long will it take for her to get her 485 approved.
Is it a good idea to start a thread to track spouse I-485 filing post July '07 approvals?
Thanks!
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pasupuleti
02-13 05:04 PM
We met our san jose(CA) congressman Mike Honda (http://honda.house.gov/). We had good session with his staff. His office is in the process of writting a letter to Backlog centers asking them for speeding up approvals.Their office is well aware of backlog issues. Once they get a response back from DOL, they would let us know.
more...
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dupedinjuly
07-10 02:48 PM
http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,680197801,00.html
Workers feeling cheated by green-card reversal
By Deborah Bulkeley
Deseret Morning News
A surprise government announcement that there were plenty of employer-sponsored green cards available raised Mehul Kapadia's hopes that his wait for permanent residency was finally over.
But then, a sudden announcement that no new green cards will be issued for highly skilled workers until fall has Kapadia wondering if he'll ever find stability in America.
The State Department announced last month that employment visa numbers were available for all people seeking employer-sponsored green cards, except unskilled workers.
Applicants often wait years for those numbers. Kapadia, an Ogden software engineer originally from India, says he's been in line since Dec. 16, 2003.
For now, he's a legal worker with a temporary visa. So, when he saw he could apply for the green card number, Kapadia underwent the required medical exam and submitted his documentation July 2, the first day it could be submitted.
Then, that same day, the State Department issued an update stating that "sudden backlog reduction efforts by Citizenship and Immigration Services during the past month have resulted in the use of almost 60,000 employment numbers." The department called the backlog reduction an "unexpected action" and said employment visa numbers would be available again Oct. 1.
CIS had been working since May to reduce a backlog in applications it already has on file, said Bill Wright, spokesman for the agency.
"There's a numerical limitation of roughly 147,000 visas available (annually)," he said. "Once we met that numerical limitation, we requested that the State Department post a brand new, revised bulletin that anything after that is no longer eligible."
The State Department had originally posted the bulletin to ensure that all available visas for the fiscal year would be issued, said Steve Royster, State Department spokesman for consular affairs. Last year, he said, roughly 10,000 such visas weren't issued.
"Processing visas on file with CIS is going to benefit all the applicants in the pool, and this will ensure the entire allotment of visas for 2007 will be used," he said.
But Kapadia now says he feels cheated by two federal agencies that said one thing one day and another the next.
"Nobody knows what happened," he said. "This was kind of a big rejection and sense of being let down, but for what? We still can't comprehend why they acted in this extraordinary manner."
Kapadia isn't alone. Tens of thousands of people who work in the United States under employment visas and their families were affected by the change, said Crystal Williams, associate director for programs at the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
"There are people who flew to the United States so they could apply and had their families fly back. They paid attorney fees," Williams said.
AILA's sister organization, the American Immigration Law Foundation, is considering a lawsuit against the two federal agencies, Williams said.
"We've gone back now about 25 years and have never found a situation in which a bulletin was revised after the first of the month," she said.
Neither Royster nor Wright would comment on potential litigation. Wright suggested that anyone who filed an application on July 2 contact their local CIS office to find out the status.
The fee to apply for a green card increases July 30 from $395 to $1,010, including a fingerprinting fee.
Kapadia says he isn't worried about the fee hike so much as the freedom he'd receive with permanent residency. He'd be able to travel internationally without restrictions, and establish residency to study for a master's degree. He and his wife would be able to remain in the country if he loses his job, and they'd eventually be able to apply for citizenship.
"It's kind of a golden cage we are in. We are free, we are in America, but we are stopped from doing anything," he said. "I am looking for the American dream, but it is looking like more of a mirage."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributing: The Associated Press
E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com
Workers feeling cheated by green-card reversal
By Deborah Bulkeley
Deseret Morning News
A surprise government announcement that there were plenty of employer-sponsored green cards available raised Mehul Kapadia's hopes that his wait for permanent residency was finally over.
But then, a sudden announcement that no new green cards will be issued for highly skilled workers until fall has Kapadia wondering if he'll ever find stability in America.
The State Department announced last month that employment visa numbers were available for all people seeking employer-sponsored green cards, except unskilled workers.
Applicants often wait years for those numbers. Kapadia, an Ogden software engineer originally from India, says he's been in line since Dec. 16, 2003.
For now, he's a legal worker with a temporary visa. So, when he saw he could apply for the green card number, Kapadia underwent the required medical exam and submitted his documentation July 2, the first day it could be submitted.
Then, that same day, the State Department issued an update stating that "sudden backlog reduction efforts by Citizenship and Immigration Services during the past month have resulted in the use of almost 60,000 employment numbers." The department called the backlog reduction an "unexpected action" and said employment visa numbers would be available again Oct. 1.
CIS had been working since May to reduce a backlog in applications it already has on file, said Bill Wright, spokesman for the agency.
"There's a numerical limitation of roughly 147,000 visas available (annually)," he said. "Once we met that numerical limitation, we requested that the State Department post a brand new, revised bulletin that anything after that is no longer eligible."
The State Department had originally posted the bulletin to ensure that all available visas for the fiscal year would be issued, said Steve Royster, State Department spokesman for consular affairs. Last year, he said, roughly 10,000 such visas weren't issued.
"Processing visas on file with CIS is going to benefit all the applicants in the pool, and this will ensure the entire allotment of visas for 2007 will be used," he said.
But Kapadia now says he feels cheated by two federal agencies that said one thing one day and another the next.
"Nobody knows what happened," he said. "This was kind of a big rejection and sense of being let down, but for what? We still can't comprehend why they acted in this extraordinary manner."
Kapadia isn't alone. Tens of thousands of people who work in the United States under employment visas and their families were affected by the change, said Crystal Williams, associate director for programs at the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
"There are people who flew to the United States so they could apply and had their families fly back. They paid attorney fees," Williams said.
AILA's sister organization, the American Immigration Law Foundation, is considering a lawsuit against the two federal agencies, Williams said.
"We've gone back now about 25 years and have never found a situation in which a bulletin was revised after the first of the month," she said.
Neither Royster nor Wright would comment on potential litigation. Wright suggested that anyone who filed an application on July 2 contact their local CIS office to find out the status.
The fee to apply for a green card increases July 30 from $395 to $1,010, including a fingerprinting fee.
Kapadia says he isn't worried about the fee hike so much as the freedom he'd receive with permanent residency. He'd be able to travel internationally without restrictions, and establish residency to study for a master's degree. He and his wife would be able to remain in the country if he loses his job, and they'd eventually be able to apply for citizenship.
"It's kind of a golden cage we are in. We are free, we are in America, but we are stopped from doing anything," he said. "I am looking for the American dream, but it is looking like more of a mirage."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contributing: The Associated Press
E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com
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somegchuh
10-26 02:56 PM
arnet,
So they took the original I 797 after the itnerview and mailed it back with the passport?
Mihrid,
they should have returned your wife's I797. If she's still in India she can call VFS and follow up to get it. It is important that she gets back the original 797. Sometimes they ask for it at the airport when you land. My wife was asked for it once.
I am asking my wife to call both embassy and VFS to get I797 back. Here's the contact info I have been able to find
Have a question about your NIV application? Contact the NIV unit by the following methods:
Phone: (011-91-11) 2419-8310 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
E-mail: nivnd@state.gov
Fax: (011-91-11) 2419-8407
Want to contact VFS? Please use the following methods:
VFS Helpline (Excluding Punjab): 011-4222-0000
VFS Helpline (Punjab): 0181-504-1444
E-mail: infodelhi@vfs-usa.co.in
VFS’ agents respond to phone calls from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Indian holidays observed by U.S. missions. E-mailed inquiries are responded to Monday through Friday, within two working days.
If you are calling from outside India, please call VFS at 011-91-44-4231-6767.
our experience:
they will mail back those.
my wife went to delhi consulate in sep 06 (i didnt go), and they took all reqd docs including our I-797s original, and when they sent stamped passport through courier, they returned all documents with passport including I-797s.
I dont think they took any document except fees receipt, ds-156/157, it was suprising to us not even the xerox copies of reqd docs like w-2's,marriage ceritificate, etc. i think, might be, they just want to verify and once they did that, they are returning it.
it took 3 days after interview date to get the stamped passport and documents through courier.
If any delay or problem in getting those documents/passport after 3-4days, contact VFS at delhi. I think you can track through SMS too.
So they took the original I 797 after the itnerview and mailed it back with the passport?
Mihrid,
they should have returned your wife's I797. If she's still in India she can call VFS and follow up to get it. It is important that she gets back the original 797. Sometimes they ask for it at the airport when you land. My wife was asked for it once.
I am asking my wife to call both embassy and VFS to get I797 back. Here's the contact info I have been able to find
Have a question about your NIV application? Contact the NIV unit by the following methods:
Phone: (011-91-11) 2419-8310 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
E-mail: nivnd@state.gov
Fax: (011-91-11) 2419-8407
Want to contact VFS? Please use the following methods:
VFS Helpline (Excluding Punjab): 011-4222-0000
VFS Helpline (Punjab): 0181-504-1444
E-mail: infodelhi@vfs-usa.co.in
VFS’ agents respond to phone calls from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Indian holidays observed by U.S. missions. E-mailed inquiries are responded to Monday through Friday, within two working days.
If you are calling from outside India, please call VFS at 011-91-44-4231-6767.
our experience:
they will mail back those.
my wife went to delhi consulate in sep 06 (i didnt go), and they took all reqd docs including our I-797s original, and when they sent stamped passport through courier, they returned all documents with passport including I-797s.
I dont think they took any document except fees receipt, ds-156/157, it was suprising to us not even the xerox copies of reqd docs like w-2's,marriage ceritificate, etc. i think, might be, they just want to verify and once they did that, they are returning it.
it took 3 days after interview date to get the stamped passport and documents through courier.
If any delay or problem in getting those documents/passport after 3-4days, contact VFS at delhi. I think you can track through SMS too.
more...
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rajsand
10-17 09:21 PM
I finally got my receipts today for my wife and me.
I got only my receipt number for I-765 on sep 18th and rest of it today.
I called the USCIS and the IO said all the receipts are there today.
Thanks for all the valuble information.
I got only my receipt number for I-765 on sep 18th and rest of it today.
I called the USCIS and the IO said all the receipts are there today.
Thanks for all the valuble information.
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vphope
04-04 12:22 PM
Is attorney not in the loop?
Why didnt he get any info?
Are we supposed to be monitoring all these...:mad:
Why didnt he get any info?
Are we supposed to be monitoring all these...:mad:
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Saralayar
07-20 01:49 PM
Yes, but you'll need hard copy of your labour certificate which takes 1-3 weeks to arrive. I suggest keep ALL other documents 100% ready to go and send the application the moment your LC arrives. If it does not arrive by 16th, include whatever proof you have of the LC approval (email nitification etc..) and send your application. you never know they may accept it and issue an RFE later..
The priority date should be on or before June 30, 2007 for you to file the I 140 and I 485 concurrently for the July visa bulletin. Otherwise you can file just I 140 any time after your labor gets cleared.
The priority date should be on or before June 30, 2007 for you to file the I 140 and I 485 concurrently for the July visa bulletin. Otherwise you can file just I 140 any time after your labor gets cleared.
Imigrait
01-26 11:06 AM
Great AP dates have finally moved :) . Hopefully should get mine by Feb end.
gcformeornot
02-11 08:15 PM
I checked with attorney and they mentioned that I can continue on my L1 if I am with L1 employer OR if I am with H1 employer then I can be only on H1 status...
As far as denial is concerned, I am still waiting for the notice...
Does anyone has an idea... I heard from some of my friends that specially in case of L1B blanket, denial notice should talk about the problem and also about how to re-apply again.
Also I got a feeling that my company may end up filing L1A as I have 8+ years of experience. Will that be any kind of problem...?
Please suggest...
Thanks,
Gagan Chodhry
replying to my question. Did you or did you not receive new I-94s?
As far as denial is concerned, I am still waiting for the notice...
Does anyone has an idea... I heard from some of my friends that specially in case of L1B blanket, denial notice should talk about the problem and also about how to re-apply again.
Also I got a feeling that my company may end up filing L1A as I have 8+ years of experience. Will that be any kind of problem...?
Please suggest...
Thanks,
Gagan Chodhry
replying to my question. Did you or did you not receive new I-94s?